A GREAT of the province has given his wholehearted backing to new Munster coach Clayton McMillan.
After the departure of Graham Rowntree almost a year ago, then Munster head of operations Ian Costello took over on an interim basis with the club before McMillan, a former policeman turned rugby coach, arrived on a three-year deal this summer.
Munster open their competitive season away to Welsh outfit Scarlets at the 14,500 capacity Parc y Scarlets in the URC this Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm).
Both teams were quarter-finalists last season in a competition won outright by Leinster.
Simon Zebo believes the former boss of Super Rugby side Chiefs was a good choice for the 2023 URC winners.
“It’s fantastic. I think himself and Prendy (Mike Prendergast) have hit the ground running. The players seem to be very, very happy and excited. A fresh, new voice has come into the set-up. I think McMillan will do a really, really good job. I think he’ll have a fast impact at Munster,” Zebo remarked at a Premier Sports event in Dublin.
“Ian Costello did really well filling in while there was no head coach there. He did what was needed at the time and he filled in really well. Now it’s time for a new coach to kick on and really take this young squad forward … with the help of Denis Leamy and Mike Prendergast, and the core group of players they have in Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and these guys. Alex Kendellen, (John) Hodnett.”
Zebo said that Munster “have a real chance of success in the next three or four years, I think, with the squad they’re building and the coaching staff. If they can keep them intact, it will be a successful period for Munster.”
Munster’s first home fixture will be against more Wales opposition in the form of Cardiff at Thomond Park the weekend after next, October 4.